Anxiety
Pregnancy or postpartum anxiety can exist on its own or along with perinatal depression. While most moms experience some anxiousness or worry during pregnancy or after giving birth, postpartum anxiety is more severe and impacts a mom’s ability to function and/or bond with her baby.
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In addition to generalized anxiety, a mom may also suffer from postpartum panic disorder with which she will likely experience extreme nervousness and recurring panic attacks. These attacks may include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations and numbness or tingling in the extremities. These symptoms are not life threatening and will subside after the attack passes.
Perinatal Anxiety might sound like...
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"I can't stop worrying (about)..."
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Extreme, distracting fear about something bad happening to baby
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Fast talking or seemingly racing thoughts that are difficult to slow down
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"There's so much to do," "The list never ends!" "I just can't to anything right." "Everything I do is wrong."
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Eating or sleeping more or less than usual.
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"I just can't sit still!" "I have to keep moving."
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Hasn't been feeling well- experiencing dizziness, nausea or diarrhea.